John Charles Seely, age 96 of Cassville, Missouri

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in His way.

            John Charles Seely, of Cassville, Missouri, passed peacefully in loving company of his family on November 4, 2022, having served ninety-six years a devoted husband, father, and man of God.

            John was chosen to lead a life of great proportion. Born in Tuxedo, New York, on February 2, 1926, to Frank Dunning Seely and Edith Aurora Christine Anderson, John was his parents’ youngest son and fifth child of seven. John spent much of his childhood in New York and, when his family later moved to Barry County, Thomas Hollow. At just fifteen years old, in order to help provide financial support for his mother and sisters, John moved to California to build Liberty Ships shortly before joining the Merchant Marines during the Second World War. After his wartime service of sailing the seven seas, John moved to Alaska to mine for gold until he was drafted in 1950 to serve in the Army during the Korean War. He would later reminisce of the food he enjoyed while stationed with the Army in Germany (much better than the powdered eggs he routinely suffered in his previous service, which demanded perhaps more hot sauce than egg).

            When he again returned to Cassville, John met Betty Louise Baker, daughter of John Calvin Baker and Gladys Clara Beck, and the two married in 1955. Together with his wife, John helped grow his father-in-law’s feed store into a prosperous, local grocery. The Baker-Seely Grocery Store was their home away from home until 1991. To this day, many people recognize John for surprising them with candy as children. The couple were graced with two sons and fifty-eight years of loving marriage. In addition to work, John and Betty shared in both worship and play. Both longtime congregants of the First Baptist Church where they touched to lives of many through their commitment to teaching Sunday School and driving the church van. The Seelys were also active members of the Cassville Golf Club, where John—who remained an avid golfer well into his 90’s—made five Hole-in-Ones!

            In 2005, John and Betty tragically lost their first-born son, John Charles Seely, Jr. Betty, always her husband’s better half and with him firmly by her side, was too welcomed into God’s kingdom eight years later. John is also preceded in death by his siblings: Norma Seely Simpson, Betty Seely Snider, Frank Dunning Seely, David Roe Seely, Ruth Seely Henbest, and Doris Seely Ray.

            John’s legacy is no smaller than the life he led. A righteous man who walks in His integrity—how blessed are his sons after him. John and Betty’s son, Dan, lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his wife, Jennifer. Together they have three children: John, Olivia, and Andrew. He is also survived by two half-brothers, Bill and Frank Welch, and their respective wives Jeanette and Jo Ella. Eight nieces and six nephews also survive and will serve as pallbearers in John’s funeral.

            Services are scheduled for Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Pastor James Weaver will conduct the services. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Cassville, Missouri.

            The family would like to extend special gratitude to John’s nephew, Mike Henbest, who diligently and lovingly cared for John over the past several years.

            Contributions may be made to First Baptist Church in memory of John.

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FOHN FUNERAL HOME

Cassville, Missouri

417-847-2141